Gifted Issues Discussion homepage Forums General Discussion Hi! New here

I found this board while searching for gifted info. I am a mom of two...DS is 7 1/2 and DD is almost 5. I have been HSing them for over a year now. DS tested gifted with the WISC IV last year. And his school would not do anything to challenge him....so we decided to give HS a shot. And thank goodness we did! It's the best thing that ever happened to us. DS is doing great moving along as fast as he wants. Math is the subject that he's the most advanced in, and he's currently doing a 5/6 grade program. His reading is at a middle school level. Most other subjects we stay around a 3rd grade level. Other than that he's a typical little boy who enjoys video games, and legos.

DD is another story. Although obviously gifted, she can't sit still for more than a few minutes at a time. So even reading to her is a challenge, much less trying to do any formal school work:) But despite her over abundance of energy, she is reading and writing when she feels like it. She will be Kindy age next fall, and we are thinking about sending her to PS for a year or so. But we have a while to decide.

Welcome, RJH! I just got here myself--but I hope you will enjoy being here as much as I have so far!

peace
minnie

Hi RJH,
Glad to hear that things went well with DS.

Is your Kindy a half day program? The number of hours of Kindy seems to make a huge difference...with underchallenged kids prefering the shorter days.

Is Kindy in your area academic oriented, or is it, as my DS12 puts it, 'lots of playing to trick kids into thinking school is fun?' Lots of playing seems to be a better fit than lots of academics that are below the readiness level.

What books doesn't DD sit still for? Have you tried a range? Perhaps she would sit for Harry Potter longer than for 'See Dick Run?' If not - she is 4! She is allowed to be a bundle of energy!

I'm getting the idea that your two are very different from each other, but I wonder, how did DS do in kindy?

Whatever you decide, you are so welcome here! Yippee!
Grinity

Thanks for the welcome ladies! Our K is a full day program, and DD is a total social butterfly and loves being around any and all people. I'm sure she would love it. I think it's more ABC's and 123's with lots of playing. I know she would be learning stuff she already knows. But I don't think she would be board like DS was.

He did great in K because he is so laid back and just goes with the flow. He didn't act out even though he was board. Yes, DD is the exact opposite. I'm scared they will squash her enthusiasm by making her sit and be quiet all day. She can't do that! LOL!

She seems to sit still for longer when DH reads to her for some reason. And we try to read a variety of books. I never thought to try a more advanced book, though. I will try that.

Good luck with the advanced book idea...

Lots of playing sounds good, and if she love being around people, that should be a plus.

I'll bet that the 'running free' thing varies widely by teacher - some see little kids as naturally jumpy, and some see it as their job to 'prepare them for 1st grade.' Try to spend some time observing the current teachers and see if the principle will allow you to request the room where 'high energy' isn't seen as a moral failing.

You will know if they are unhappy with her because there will proably be some kind of signally system in the room, behavior stars, or 'Yellow Light' slips.

Smiles,
Grinity